Encouraging and equipping you to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives.

If you’re a beginning writer, CCWC will give you a solid foundation to build upon. It can save you both time and disappointments in your journey to publication. If you’re an advanced writer, there’s always more to learn.

CCWC will give you face-to-face opportunities to present your ideas or manuscripts to editors and agents or to authors who can provide encouragement and direction. Free one-on-one 15-minute appointments with our faculty are included with your registration.

Newsflash!

A bonus SIXTHappointment for those who register
for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday has been extended
from the first 50 to the first 75 to register.

Do you long for deep friendships with others who share your passion for words and the Lord? You’ll meet them at CCWC.

Have rejection slips or writers’ block caused you to become discouraged? You’ll find answers and encouragement at CCWC.

Do you need direction from the Lord and confirmation that you’re writing what He wants written? CCWC is not just a writers’ conference; it’s also a retreat where those who are listening have heard from Him in ways that have changed their lives.

Are you running on empty spiritually? The worship and keynotes will fill you to overflowing.

Yes, CCWC by God’s plan and design is much more than just a writers’ conference. I’m excited to see what He is going to do and know that it will be “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20 NKJV).

Register now to beat the March 21 price increase. You’ll save $5 to $20 that can be better spent on books. 🙂

If it looks impossible financially? Remember, nothing is impossible for the Lord. Partial scholarships are available for those with financial need thanks to all who have contributed to our scholarship fund and the generosity of Illumify Media. For more information and to apply click here.

I confess! I hate research. As a result, almost all of my 1,000 plus sales to Christian periodicals are based on personal experience. You’ll rarely find me including statistics or quoting a bunch of “experts.”

Well, I hate most kinds of research, but I love digging deep into God’s Word to “write His answer.”

Study GOD and his strength, seek his presence day and night.

1 Chronicles 16:11 MSG

Early on in the 46 years I’ve written for publication I discovered the importance of studying (researching) the markets. I took seriously what an editor said at one of the first writers’ conferences I attended. I don’t remember her name, but I’ve never forgotten what she said: “An incorrectly targeted article is nothing but a source of irritation to a busy editor.”

Each edition of the Christian Writers Market Guide that Sally Stuart compiled for 24 years was well-worn and much appreciated. From it, and the guidelines for writers that I always requested from publishers, I developed Market Analysis Charts. As part of my Ministry/Marketing Packet that I sold for many years they were used by well over 1,000 writers.

The charts of agent interests, editorial needs, and areas of expertise that she prepares for both conferences are an incredibly valuable research tool and a huge amount of work.

Below is the chart of nonfiction editorial needs for the 22 editors at the May 15-18, 2019, Colorado Christian Writers Conference. There are also charts for fiction, children/YA & Other for our editors, 5 agents, 7 other professionals, and 19 authors.

Father, thank You for Barbie and for Steve Laube who is continuing the work Sally Stuart began with the Christian Writers Market Guide. Thank You for the Internet that puts information at our fingertips. Help us not to be lazy when it comes to obtaining info we need. And especially, Father, remind us daily to study Your Word. Help us to do in-depth research so that we can effectively share Your answer.

She loves this conference! Attending for 11 years, she has been a speaker/teacher for 7 years.

Her first conference was a big challenge. She had just begun her first book and was scared. Marlene encouraged her to bring her first chapter. Still she was so afraid to come alone, she convinced a friend to come with her, and Debbie paid her friend’s way!

Debbie learned two important lessons that first year.

1 – publishers and editors are people too! And she had fun getting to know them and still does.

2 – there is a whole language to learn in the land of publishing. So in many of her classes, she provides a vocabulary sheet with definitions to encourage new writers to jump right in.

Guest Blogger – Dick Bruso
International Professional Speaker and Author

Wow! Another exceptional Colorado Christian Writers Conference at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center, May 15-18, will be here before you know it. I’ve had the distinct privilege of attending and speaking at CCWC for a number of years and have been blessed beyond measure.

My life verse is Psalm 37:4 (NIV), “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The Colorado Christian Writers Conference allows all who attend to truly delight themselves in the Lord throughout the entire conference while at the same time fulfilling the desires of their hearts as Christian writers.

Here are just a few ways you will be significantly impacted at CCWC 2019:

* Becoming much better equipped to write what God had laid upon your heart

* Forming new and life-long friendships with your brothers and sisters in Christ

* Learning from and connecting with a vast variety of remarkable professionals all dedicated to helping you move your writing career forward

* Enjoying the beauty and majesty of God’s creation in the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains

* Building your faith through dedicated and powerful times of prayer and worship

If you haven’t already signed up for CCWC, now is the time to do so before the price increases March 21! It will prove to be one of the most valuable investments you will ever make as you seek to influence others for the cause of Christ!

Special Note: On Friday, May 17th, I will be giving two back-to-back workshops (featuring an exclusive bonus*) as described below:

“Create a Best-Seller Brand” (2:15 to 3:15 p.m.)Come learn how to develop a unique and enduring brand that will powerfully capture the marketplace by applying the “umbrella branding” approach to every aspect of your writing career. You will discover how you can bring absolute focus, clarity, and life to both your work and your brand.

“Fast-Track Your Speaking Outreach” (3:30 to 4:30 p.m.)Accelerate your writing career by tapping into the ideal professional speaking organizations, resources, and tools. Learn the inside secrets every Christian writer needs to know about the world of public speaking and building a solid and professional platform.

*Exclusive Bonus! Everyone attending either of these sessions will be givena complimentary 30-minute, post-conference, one-on-one phone consultation with me to help further their writing and speaking careers.

I remember the first time I drove into Rocky Mountain National Park. Nothing I had experienced in the Philadelphia area where I lived prepared me for the altitude and hairpin curves. Yes, the views were magnificent – truly breathtaking. But the drop offs . . .

I had a decision to make that day. I could choose to give my fear to the Lord and trust Him, or I could miss the incredible gift He had given me of being in the Rocky Mountains.

As I look forward to my 23rd year directing the Colorado Christian Writers Conference at the YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park Center that borders Rocky Mountain National Park, I am so grateful I chose faith instead of fear. Yes, of course, I use common sense and drive carefully. And much as I’m tempted to take my eyes off the road when I spot elk, I wait until I can safely pull over to take dozens of pictures.

Now, this year, if I finally see a moose, I can’t guarantee what I’ll do. I’ve been waiting a long time. After last year’s conference, I drove into the park just after daybreak and went to where I was told the moose were. Instead, I saw turkeys!

Sorry to ramble. There really is a point I want to make, and it has to do with the choices we make when confronted with the challenges of technology.

The learning curve is daunting and not something I enjoy. But today, as I’m struggling to learn Picmonkey and Instagram, I “came to realize” (don’t use this phrase in your writing) I have a choice. I can choose to trust the Lord and embrace the learning curve knowing He is the One who will equip me to do what I could never do in my own strength. Or, I can stress and believe the lie from the pit that I’m too old and too dumb to master another new computer skill.

Thank You, Father, for helping me to again choose to trust You and for showing me that this new challenge can actually be fun.

Friend, what challenge are you facing? And would you help make the challenge I’m facing with this new learning curve worthwhile by copying and pasting some of these images? I’d really appreciate it.

I can do everything God asks me to
with the help of Christ
who gives me the strength and power.

With the ongoing theme of “Write His Answer” from Habakkuk 2:2, CCWC always seeks to address issues. This year, our opening general session on Wednesday night will feature the instructors of the six workshops in our “Issues” track. They will give a brief introduction of their topic and challenge us to use the gift of words the Lord has entrusted to us to make a difference.

Charles PatricoffAmerica at the Crosswords

Charles is an author with a personal passion for American history and our nation’s unique Christian heritage. As a Jewish follower of Yeshua, Charles speaks at Pro-Life and Tea Party rallies about our godly American heritage. “I write to preserve life and liberty, because by fighting to provide freedom for others, we preserve freedom for ourselves.” For over 35 years he supported the Department of Defense where his work gained recognition throughout the military and weapons development corporations. He says, “Christian writers can prepare believers to advance the kingdom of God as America takes another step toward complete rejection of its Judeo-Christian roots.”

David RupertThe Rocks Cry Out

David is a corporate communicator, journalist, ghost-writer, and featured writer at Patheos Evangelical. He just published Living a Life of Yes. Visit his Living a Life of Yes Podcast. “Are you afraid to engage?” David asks. “In today’s world, traditional principles provoke reactions that can be unfair and personal. But the shrinking Christian writer does the world no good. Let’s learn to write truth!”

Rick MarschallSpeaking Life to a Culture of Death

Rick is the author of 74 books, editor for three newspaper syndicates, writer for Disney, Editor of Marvel Comics, and has written hundreds of articles. He currently edits Innovative Health Magazine and is looking for writers! And for 10 years he has written the weekly blog MondayMinistry.com. Rick says, “The foundation of every contemporary crisis is Death: abortion, homosexuality, divorce, abuse, drugs . . . all wage war on procreation, the family. How can we redeem Truth and Life to this generation?”

Bill WatkinsAnswering Christianity’s Critics

Bill is the president of Literary Solutions and the senior editor at BroadStreet Publishing Group. A long-time writer, editor, mentor, consultant, teacher, and speaker, Bill is the award-winning author of seven books (including The New Absolutes, The Transforming Habits of a Growing Christian, and A House United? Evangelicals and Catholics Together), twenty-five study guides, and about 180 other pieces of writing. He is married and has seven adult children and seven grandchildren. He enjoys reading, movies, deep conversations, dating his wife, and playing with his grandkids. Bill will address antagonism toward the Christian faith and believers. “It is at a new high in American culture. Find out how you can answer the critics and win their respect while building the confidence of believers.”

Michael GanttThe Burden of the Watchman

Michael served in pulpit ministry for 45 years and as Senior Minister at Agape Christian Fellowship in Brattleboro, Vermont. Most recently, he is the director of the Kenya Development Fund, a strategic development ministry among the deaf of Kenya. He travels widely, preaching in churches and conferences across America and around the world. He maintains his blog site where he writes on a variety of issues. His heartbeat is driven by the twin themes of guarding the integrity and authority of the Bible and the restoration of the home as the Center of the Kingdom. He is the author of three books: Eddie: Adventures with a 41-Year-Old RV and the Lessons We Learned From Him, MAKUTANO: Lives Intersecting to Write God’s Story, and Cry Mercy: America’s one hope may be in her destruction. Michael says, “There are some who see what others do not see, hear sounds others do not hear, and discern danger before danger reveals itself. Should he sleep, the loss of the city will stain his hands forever.”

Bruce PorterMake Some Noise!

Bruce is a “man with a mission” to call people into biblical truth and Christians back to their ancient roots and radical passion for Christ no matter the cost. Church planter, pastor, international speaker, and responder to disasters worldwide, Bruce brings a unique perspective that challenges and motivates his readers. His most recent book is Destroying the Shadow Agenda – A Christian Manifesto. He writes, “Paul Revere’s night ride of 1775 rallied the Colonists. Christian writers are also night ‘writers’ upon their keyboards to awaken God’s army. A Shadow Agenda seeks to discourage us, but Bruce sees only inevitable victory in Christ. He encourages God’s heralds to ‘Write His Message’ of Christ’s final ultimate victory over the Shadow Agenda!”

And Wednesday evening is just the beginning of what will be a life-changing conference that features:

Sheri Schofield is an amazing lady! Really, that’s not surprising since she serves our amazing God.

Last year Sheri received the Writer of the Year Award from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference for her persistence not just in getting her children’s picture book in print but for turning a mistake into a blessing.

The Prince and the Plan: Leading Children to Jesus in 24 Memory Making Lessons is an interactive picture book written for children ages 4-8 that helps parents lead their children into a lasting, saving relationship with Jesus.

Sheri is the author and illustrator of this 218-page full-color book. Can you imagine her dismay when it came off press and she opened the box to discover the books were mistakenly printed in black and white? She had a tough choice to make. She could allow the books to be destroyed or purchase them at the deeply discounted price of $4,180.

Sheri didn’t have $4,180, but God’s people did. As a result, 2,000 black & white copies of The Prince and the Plan were not trashed but instead are in the hands of children on Montana Native American reservations! And this is just the beginning.

“So many children in Helena and across America have never heard of Jesus at all,” Sheri wrote in a recent newsletter. “The Lord has spoken to my heart about a tidal wave of children who are growing up in America without any knowledge of Jesus or God’s ways whatsoever.

“Do you remember watching the tsunami hit Japan in 2011? It rose and rolled over the land, destroying everything and everyone in its path. That’s what is coming toward America spiritually: darkness pouring over a land without Jesus.

“It is for this reason that Tim and I have gone all out to provide The Prince and the Plan for the children. It is our attempt to stem the tide, to turn it to a flood of Jesus’ light instead. We are even doing billboards to let people know about this gospel presentation.”

But Sheri has a vision that extends beyond Montana and the United States.

From March 3-12 Sheri will be in Mexico. Part of her work there will be teaching a seminar on children’s ministries to church teachers in the mountain towns. She will be taking the Spanish translation of The Prince and the Plan so they can use it to lead children to Jesus.

Sheri writes, “I’ll be doing multisensory teacher training, like I’ve used in the book. For instance, in the story of David & Goliath, Jesse sent David to take BREAD and CHEESE to his brothers – that’s how David managed to be in the army camp. When I tell this story, I give each child a small amount of bread and cheese. This stimulates multisensory learning, and they remember the stories a whole lot better. (I’ve had older children tell me in detail the stories they had heard from me years before!)

“The problem is this: Good wages in Mexico are about $8 per day – for a man. Poverty is rampant. The Christians cannot even afford to have potlucks, for they barely have enough food for themselves. As I have prayed about this, the Lord has put it on my heart to ask them to pray for the provisions they will need to teach multisensory Bible lessons. (I’ll be taking some non-food equipment for them, but they will need ongoing food and supplies for this type of teaching.) I believe the Lord will do so, but it will take great faith for them. After a lifetime of poverty and barely scraping by, this will be a HUGE challenge for them.

“To help them step out in faith, I feel that I should ask God for a sign they would recognize as an indication of His blessing on this. I know very little Spanish and there will be an interpreter for the classes I’ll teach. But I feel I should ask God to give me the language gift of Spanish while I teach. I am friends with these people. They know I barely speak Spanish at all. If the Lord were to give me the language for these classes, I think it would make them bold in asking the Lord to provide for multisensory Bible teaching.

“Right now, the youngest children attend church, but they stop coming as they grow older – much like in the USA. I have found that this way of teaching draws the older children, too. It could make a huge difference in leadership development in the churches of Mexico.

“So, though I’ve never asked this of God before, I’m asking for the gift of Spanish for the times when I am teaching and communicating with these women. Would you please pray this for me, too?

“Also, we are going into drug cartel country. The cartels run every town. Please pray for our safety, too!”
_________________________

Father, thank You for Sheri’s faith that challenges me to have more faith. Thank You that I know You can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond.

Friends, will you join me in praying for Sheri and believing God for miracles?

For more info about Sheri and her Faithwind 4 Kids ministry click here.

Sheri will teach the workshop, “Writing to a Child’s Heart,” at the May 15-18 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. You’ll learn the basics of writing for children and preteens, how to determine your audience’s age, and how to develop characters and plots, as time allows.

The 23rd Annual Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference (CCWC) is coming up May 15-18, and the 36th Greater Philly conference August 8-10. Some of you may wonder if a conference is right for you. You’re just toying with the idea of writing, and maybe don’t have anything prepared, or have scratched out a chapter on a napkin. Publishing lingo and writer talk are foreign. So why go? Below, CCWC alum, Deb Moerke, shares her experience of intimidated newbie to getting a contract with Tyndale. Her book releases October 8th.

Who knows what God may do at this year’s conference?

Here is Deb’s story in her own words.

Debra Moerke, author, speaker, real estate agent

A number of Colorado Christian Writers Conferences in the Rockies had come and gone. I wanted to attend each year but watched the opportunity pass me by. Either money or time held me back. Perhaps, just perhaps, it was more my own fear and the intimidation of finding myself with an industry of people I had never rubbed shoulders with before that kept me away. What would I say to them? How should I act?

But in 2014, my March birthday arrived and I received a call from my oldest daughter and her family.

“Happy birthday dear Grammy, happy birthday to you!” Sweet voices sang over the phone as my eight-year-old grandson followed up with, “We are sending you to the writers’ conference you have wanted to go to.”

Surprised and touched by my family’s gesture, I said, “Really? Wow! Thank you.” Now I was obligated. No more excuses.

In May of that year, the day arrived and I packed up my car, kissed my family good-by and drove to the YMCA of the Rockies. I marked up my registration form putting an X in every box that I could. I signed up for as many workshops, appointments with agents, authors, editors, publishers, and even volunteered to help in the bookstore. I had no clue what that meant. But I planned to dive in and be useful. I hoped to saturate myself with every aspect of the conference. I would come home filled with great knowledge and direction.

That was my plan.

Within 24 hours of meeting my roommate, I joined a couple hundred people in the main auditorium for general sessions. Then stood in line pushing my tray along the cafeteria stainless steel track getting food. Life at the conference was non-stop.There were so many people! After the last session on the first night, I left the main center and walked to my mountain condo in tears. I was overwhelmed. Maybe this wasn’t the best idea. Who did I think I was? I had no idea what I am doing.

I reached out to God asking him to guide me and show me what to do. I felt better knowing my roommate had not been to the conference before either and I knew I was in good company. We talked about how we loved the Lord and believed he had called us to write. We agreed to pray for each other during the conference then went to sleep.

The next morning, my roommate and I walked to breakfast. A number of other people who were attending the conference asked to join us when they noticed our conference lanyards read CCWC. Within minutes we were connecting with others who either were first timers or alumni. I began to feel better about my decision to attend the conference as I entered the main auditorium with a handful of ladies ready to worship together and hear a great speaker.

I attended the continuing course that I signed up for and took a million notes. I met with a number of publishers, editors, authors and agents for my fifteen-minute appointments, and I helped the bookstore lady straighten books and smile at people coming in to the area looking for that perfect book. Each person I met asked, “What are you writing?” That was always the question even before they asked my name. Yes, it was still a different world to me but one I was beginning to feel more comfortable being a part of. Though I was relaxing a bit, I didn’t feel I was getting the answers I needed to move forward on my story. In fact, I was getting some mixed directions. Each professional I spoke with had their own perspective and dealt with different genres and parts of the process. One would be encouraging and the next one would say they didn’t see a real need for what I was writing about. Confused, I finished my second day wanting to go to my room and reorganize all my notes.

It was my sweet roommate that gave me the best direction as we climbed into our beds exhausted and brain-dead. She said that my story was so compelling and being that it was a true story, I needed to talk with Cindy Lambert. My new-found-friend was sincere in believing Cindy could help me.

Cindy and her husband, Dave, were stars of the conference. They were some of the main speakers. When I went to the bookstore to see if I could make an appointment with Cindy, the appointment woman just smiled at me and said, “Oh honey, she is completely booked. She has no openings.” I was crushed. It must have shown on my face because the woman at the appointment table encouraged me to keep checking back in the case a spot would open up. That is what happened. Friday evening, a 5:30 spot opened up. I was in.

I brought the one chapter I had written, and nervously sat down next to Cindy while introducing myself. Before we started to talk, I felt a connection. I knew I liked this lady and she made me feel comfortable. I told her my story. She read my chapter and didn’t quickly scan it as a few others had. Finished, she offered direction and advice. I grabbed my notebook and wrote it all down. Our fifteen minutes were over before I knew it. I was happy with our meeting. I felt a peace and that I had received some great advice. I was beginning to feel my trip was all worth it. Great worship music. Wonderful people. Professional advice from some of the best in the industry and I made some new-found writing friends. This is what I came for.

Little did I know God had bigger plans.

The next morning, just after breakfast, I was walking through the bookstore heading for the auditorium for morning worship when someone reached out and tapped my shoulder. “I’ve been looking all over for you,” the woman said. It was Cindy. Surprised she would be looking for me, I asked her why. She said she had thought about me and my story all night and couldn’t sleep. She wanted to know if I would meet her and her husband for lunch in the cafeteria after the morning workshops. I agreed having no idea what she would want to talk to me about.

I met the couple and we found a table in the back where we had some privacy. Cindy shared with me that she and her husband had been in the business for many years and had been speaking at conferences for around fifteen years. She said that many people approached them, but that she had never approached anyone about his or her writing. She also shared that though she had never done this before, she felt led to help me with my story. She didn’t want to offend me with her offer, but she wanted to come alongside as a collaborative writer to get the story out. I broke down in tears. I could never have seen that coming.

“Yes! Yes!” I cried (literally). I was overwhelmed, overjoyed, humbled.

Since that May conference in 2014, Cindy has flown out to my town to spend a number of days with me to see where the story took place and meet some of the people in my life who are a part of it. I have attended a number of conferences, learning more and more each year. We have worked on the book together for the past three years. Today I have an amazing agent, a contract with Tyndale House Publishers who flew me out to meet with the team that will be working on my book. A release date of October 8th has been set and I believe pre-sale orders will go out on Amazon in April or May. The title is Murder, Motherhood and Miraculous Grace.

My encouragement to each of you writers out there is…don’t give up. Pray and ask the Lord for direction. Keep going to the conference and take in all you can. You never know when that perfect opportunity will arrive where you get a tap on the shoulder from someone who believes in you and your writing and says, I want to walk this with you.
_________________________

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him to help you do it,
and he will.

Psalm 37:5 TLB

Almost fifty years ago I worked as a secretary in the editorial offices of the American Baptist Board of Education and Publication. Little did I know then that Father had me in training to direct not one but two Christian writers’ conferences.

I loved the work of getting Sunday school curriculum in print – even the never-ending and ever-pressing deadlines. Truthfully, I found them exciting. Yes, everyone thought I was strange!

I learned to type on a manual typewriter. Well, not one this old although my grandpa did have one in the basement that I loved to play with when I was little. It wasn’t until high school, however, that I learned the qwerky keyboard.

On my first job, I was thrilled when my electric typewriter was replaced with an IBM Selectric. No more key jams as my fingers danced over the keyboard at well over 100 WPM and that little ball spun.

By the time our second child was born in 1972, I left the job I loved in the editorial offices to be a stay-at-home mom. My typewriter proudly sat in a corner of the dining room and was used to supplement our income through typing jobs and occasional small checks for manuscripts I began submitting to various periodicals.

I resisted getting my first computer – a PC Jr. In fact, I cried when I took it out of the box, convinced that I was not be smart enough to learn how to use it.

Well there are still days I cry, still days I know I’m not smart enough. I’m intimidated by the learning curve of new software and never would have believed I could use a program called Quark to produce complex 16-page conference brochures.

Indeed, all the things I do today are beyond me. Without God, they really are impossible! But the 16-page brochure for the May 15-18 Colorado Christian Writers Conference that is now at the printer is proof that He makes possible what would be impossible without Him.

If you’re on our mailing list, you will receive the brochure in about 10 days. Email me your USPS address if I don’t have it. But why wait? You can view the brochure online by clicking here.

What about you? Are you learning to commit your work to Him and to trust Him to help you do it? He really will.